IOSR Journal of Pharmacy and Biological Sciences (IOSR-JPBS)

ISSN: 2278-3008. Volume 4, Issue 5 (Nov. Dec. 2012), PP 15-20

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Influence of Magnesium Addition on Mechanical Properties and

Microstructure of Al-Cu-Mg Alloy
Sani A Salihu, Aliyu Isah, Polycarp Evarastics
Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering Technology, Waziri Umaru Federal polytechnic, Birnin
Kebbi, Kebbi State, Nigeria.

Abstract: The influence of Mg addition on mechanical properties and microstructure of Al-Cu-Mg alloy was
investigated. Cast Al Cu- Mg alloys have widely been used in aircraft, aerospace, industrial and architectural
applications for their good mechanical properties, high strength-to-weight ratio. An intensive study of these cast
aluminium family has been found in many literature as a source for enhancing the mechanical properties and
microstructure of aluminium alloys. The main objective of this paper was to investigate the effect of magnesium
on mechanical properties and microstructural changes of Al4Cu alloys. The modifications of Al4Cu by adding
Mg of 0.5 to 2.5 % in the interval of 0.5% mixing with stirrer and casted by gravity die casting, subsequently the
specimens were subjected T6 type heat treatment for 6 hr at 1800C. The effect of Mg and ageing on
microstructure was studied by using optical microscope. The mechanical properties such as tensile strength and
hardness were studied using universal tensile testing machine and Brinell hardness tester respectively. It was
observed that the tensile strength and hardness increased with increase of percentage of Mg. The addition of
2.5% Mg increases the tensile strength by 69.9% while hardness increased by 22%. Samples that were aged
showed that with addition of 1% of Mg had effect on grain refinement and mechanical properties of the alloy
because of smaller grain size.
Keywords: Al-Cu-Mg alloy, Grain size, Hardness, Tensile strength, microstructure.
1.0
Introduction
Aluminium alloys are used in automotive, aerospace, construction, and shipbuilding industry because of their
combination of high strength, low density, durability, machinability, availability and the cost is also very
attractive compared to competing materials (Mondolfo). Because of the excellent strength vs. density ratio,
formability and corrosion resistance, Al-Cu-Mg alloys are potential candidates for a numerous industrial
applications (Yang, Hunt, Edmonds, 1993). Even though, due to their high specific strength, they are mainly
considered as a substitute of iron-based on mentioned metallic system are now being considered and developed
(Zluticanin, et al (2003).
Magnesium increases the strength and hardness of the alloys, but especially in castings, this is accompanied by a
decrease in ductility and impact resistance (Garg, Howe, 1992). Standard industrial aluminium-copper alloys
solidify with the formation of a dendrite structure, however, a tendency to form with a globular structure at
higher copper contents was reported (Muhammad Riaz Khan, et al, 2008).
This paper present an investigation that was done on the as-cast structure of Al-Cu-Mg system over a wide
range of magnesium contents in order to know the effect of magnesium content on the microstructure and
mechanical properties of Al-Cu-Mg alloys. Depending upon the alloy composition (Cu contents and Cu/Mg
ratio), different phase distributions and consequently different Al-Cu-Mg alloys having a copper content of
4wt% and Cu/Mg ratio 4.2.5, 4: 2, 4: 1.5, 4:1, 4:0.5 respectively, is done by quantitative microstructure analysis
and hardness and tensile strength determination. The materials investigated consist of aluminium as a primary
constituent and copper is the major addition with magnesium 0-2.5wt% varied in steps of 0.5wt%.
2.0
Methodology
2.1
Alloy Preparation
The material used for this work was purchased in Kaduna from aluminium construction company ( NOCACO)
and were prepared according to the normal process (melting Al plus Mg). The compositions were melted in an
electrical resistance furnace, using graphite crucible. The molten metal was poured into permanent cylindrical
die of diameter 25 mm with 200 mm long. Die was preheated to 1850C. The composition of the alloy was
determined using Optical Emission Spectrometer at Nigerian Foundry plc.
The experimental work was divided in two phases. The first phase consists of specimen preparation such as
melting, casting and ageing heat treatment of samples with different compositions in the aluminium-coppermagnesium (Al-Cu-Mg) system. The second phase includes mechanical characterization like ultimate tensile
strength, yield strength, hardness and microstructural studies using optical microscope of as-cast and heat
treated samples.
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Influence of Magnesium Addition on Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of Al-Cu-Mg Alloy

2.2
Mechanical Tests
Mechanical Tests such as Tensile and Hardness were conducted according to ASTM standards. In the present
study, the tensile test was conducted to using a standard 30 ton capacity Servo-hydraulic universal testing
machine of model UTES-30. The test was carried out at room temperature and in accordance with ASTM A370
standards. Three specimens were tested and average values of the Ultimate Tensile Strength are reported. In the
present study, hardness of the specimens was measured by using a standard Brinell hardness testing machine.
The hardness test was conducted in accordance with ASTM E10 standards. Six readings were taken for each
specimen at different locations to circumvent the possible effect of any alloying element segregation and the
average value was considered.

3.0

Results and Discussion

The Chemical composition test was carried by Optical Emission spectrometer. Table 1 shows the chemical
composition of the developed alloys.
Table 1.
Mg
(%)
0.00
0.50
1.00
1.50
2.00
2.50

Table 2.

Chemical composition of developed Al-Cu-Mg alloys

content

Type of alloy

% Cu

% Mg

% Fe

% Si

% Mn

% Ti

AlCu4Mg
AlCu4Mg
AlCu4Mg
AlCu4Mg
AlCu4Mg
AlCu4Mg

4.25
4.30
4.38
4.30
4.75
4.89

0.00
0.79
0.98
1.50
1.97
2.28

0.26
0.26
0.28
0.28
0.28
0.30

0.24
0.24
0.24
0.24
0.24
0.24

0.3
0.3
0.4
0.4
0.4
0.40

0.02
0.04
0.05
0.05
0.05
0.06

%
Zn
0.04
0.04
0.06
0.06
0.06
0.07

%
Al
Bal.
Bal.
Bal.
Bal.
Bal.
Bal.

Mechanical properties of developed Al-Cu-Mg alloys

Mg
content
(%)

Type
alloy

0.00
0.50
1.00
1.50
2.00
2.50

AlCu4Mg
AlCu4Mg
AlCu4Mg
AlCu4Mg
AlCu4Mg
AlCu4Mg

of

Tensile
strength
(MPa)
As
cast alloy
101.89
105.80
120.04
122.50
159.98
172.06

Tensile strength
(MPa)
Heat
treated alloy
110.80
134.02
139.50
219.40
140.10
110.05

Yield
strength
(Mpa). As
cast alloy
86.69
92.40
100.60
103.20
125.60
136.00

Hardness
(BHN)
As
cast alloy

Hardness
(BHN) Heat
treated alloy

72.20
73.50
90.20
90.80
90.90
94.20

90.20
91.00
92.00
96.80
90.00
92.00

3.1
Mechanical properties
The mechanical properties of the different form of samples with various compositions were studied. The tensile
properties of the Al alloys under investigation were determined using universal tensile testing machine as
observed in Table 3 and Figures 1 and 2. It was clear that the tensile strength increases with increase of % Mg.
the hardness values are shown in Table 2. As we can observed, that the hardness behaviour of these materials
follow the same trend as the tensile strength, where the change in the chemical composition of the alloy causes
changes in the structure that are reflected on the hardness and the tensile strength. By increasing the content of
magnesium, hardness and the tensile strength also increases with reference to as-cast condition. Fig.1 and Fig 2
shows that for 1% of magnesium the alloy exhibits maximum strength in terms of UTS and hardness this is may
be due to smaller the grain size. Figure 3 shows standard schematic tensile test sample as stipulated by ASM

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Influence of Magnesium Addition on Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of Al-Cu-Mg Alloy

Tensile strength, Yield
strength (MPa)

250

200
UST as-cast

150

UTS HT

100

YS as-cast

50

YS HT

0
0

0.5

1.5

2.5

Fig. 1. Tensile properties versus Mg content

120

Hardness, (BHN)

100
80
60

BHN as-cast
BHN HT

40
20

0
0

0.5

1.5

2.5

Figure 2. Hardness versus magnesium content

The constituents formed in the alloys containing only one or more of copper, magnesium etc, are soluble ones.
In AlCu4Mg0.5 alloy in which the copper; magnesium ratio is in the range 8:1 to 4:1 the main hardening agents
are Al2Cu and Al2CuMg both are active. In AlCu4Mg1, AlCu4Mg1.5, AlCu4Mg2 and AlCu4Mg2.5 alloys in
which the Cu/Mg ratio is in the range between 4:1 and 1:0.5 Al 2CuMg controls the properties.
3.2
Microstructural analysis
Optical microscope was used for microstructural studies of the as-cast and heat treated alloys of Al-Cu-Mg
alloys. The specimens were grinded with emery paper of different sizes, polished with polishing agent and
etched with Kellers reagent for metallographic analysis.
The copper content in the standard AlCuMg alloys was up to 4 wt% that represents the maximum solid
solubility of copper in aluminium at the eutectic temperature of 548 0C. As we have observed that these
investigated AlCuMg alloys have dendrite-cellular structures. Figure 4 (a, b), shows the micrographs in as-cast
condition consisting of dendrites of aluminium solid solution as the primary phase, with a eutectic mixture
filling the interdendritic spaces. The second phase can be an intermetallic compounds that contain aluminium
with one or more alloying elements (Al2Cu and Al2CuMg) intermetallic compounds that do not necessarily
contain aluminium (Mg2Cu or MgCu2) or alloying elements, such as copper or magnesium, depending on the
composition of the alloy. This was in agreement with Girisha and Sharma (2012) who concluded that
Figures 4 and 5 show the microstructure of the prepared as-cast and heat treated alloy consisting of eutectic grey
phase and Aluminium-rich phase, while the eutectic surrounding has a mixture of copper and magnesium
phases. The dark regions showed intermetallics like Al2Cu and Al2CuMg ().

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Influence of Magnesium Addition on Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of Al-Cu-Mg Alloy

a)

b)

c)

Figure 4. Micrographs of as-cast samples of Al4Cu alloy: a) 1% Mg, b) 2% Mg, c) 2.5% Mg

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Influence of Magnesium Addition on Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of Al-Cu-Mg Alloy

a)

b)

c)

Figure 5. Micrographs of heat treated sample of Al 4Cu alloy: a) 1% Mg, b) 2% Mg, c) 2.5% Mg

4.0
1.
2.
3.
4.

Conclusions
Magnesium addition increases the hardness, tensile and yield strength of the alloys in castings but with
decrease in ductility of cast alloys.
In the range of magnesium additions tried, the sample containing 1.5% is seems to be a most favourable
alloy in terms of tensile strength, yield strength and hardness both in as cast and heat treatment condition.
Heat treated Al- Cu-Mg alloys had improved mechanical properties when compared with as-cast alloys.
Addition of magnesium to Al-Si alloys beyond 1.5% Mg causes decrease for both the strength and hardness
of the alloys. However, heat treated samples with composition of Mg from 0.1-1.5% have shown an
improvement on mechanical properties as compared to as-cast alloys.

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Influence of Magnesium Addition on Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of Al-Cu-Mg Alloy

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